Kiss and Tell by Carolyn Keene Read Free Book Online Page A

about going to Esme’s ball with Sam!
    Nancy shook herself, throwing off the thought. It was nothing, just a party. Besides, Bess would be there.
    So why was she already imagining her firstdance with Sam? Why did the thought send a warm glow through her from head to toe?
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    Esme’s ball was in full swing by the time Nancy, Bess, and Sam arrived at nine. Bess had rented a beaded dress for herself, and a blue ballgown, glittering with rhinestones for Nancy. Bess was going to the ball as Billie Kasper, a heroine from Esme’s 1920s historical novel set in New Orleans, Jazz Nights. Nancy’s costume was meant to represent Jewel Trelawny, a feisty character from one of Esme’s eighteenth-century historical romances. Sam was dressed in a dashing maroon velvet suit complete with a flowing white poet’s shirt.
    â€œThis is going to be so much fun,” Bess announced as they were about to enter the Barrington’s elegant ballroom.
    Nancy, Bess, and Sam stopped in the doorway to take in the transformation of the ballroom into a fantasy of romance and revelry. Panels of sheer gold fabric floated from the ceiling, creating diaphanous walls for the dancers to pass around and through. The partygoers were given handfuls of red, heart-shaped confetti to toss. Already it sparkled across the littered floor. The room was lit in soft blues and pinks, and everyone glowed and looked terrific in their romantic costumes. A big band played slow, romantic standards from a raised platform at the end of the room.
    Nancy spotted Esme, resplendent in a flowingwhite ballgown, dancing with Giancarlo, who wore a tuxedo. Todd, also dressed in a tux, whirled an elegant Helen Klein around the floor. A very Edwardian Bob Samuels came by, in high-waisted pants and a frock coat, to ask Bess to dance.
    â€œHow could I say no?” Bess asked.
    As Bess whirled off on Bob’s arm, Nancy spotted another woman across the room, dressed in her same costume. “Look,” she said, pointing out the woman to Sam, “There are two of me!”
    â€œI sincerely doubt there could be,” Sam said gallantly. There was a slightly awkward pause, which he finally filled by asking, “Do you want to dance?”
    â€œSure,” Nancy said. As Sam led her onto the floor, Nancy felt that same warm glow pass through her. Quit it, Drew, she told herself. You’ve got a guy already, and besides, Sam’s older. He’s not interested in you.
    Or was he? When Sam took her in his arms, Nancy saw a half smile turn up the corners of his lips. Then he pressed her to him, and Nancy let herself get lost in the music, the moment, and the warmth of his arms around her.
    Then she felt someone touch her hand and push a piece of paper between her fingers. Nancy saw Giancarlo whirl by, with Esme in his arms. Before she could say a word to him, they were gone.
    She pulled away from Sam, who was surprisedto find Nancy ending their dance so abruptly. “Someone passed me this note,” Nancy explained, unfolding the piece of paper.
    When she read the note, Nancy’s heart started beating faster, and she had to take a deep breath before she could read it out loud.
    â€œâ€Šâ€˜Only you know how much I care, cara mia. Please do not doubt my love. I promise, I swear—the future is ours! Yours, and yours only, G.C.’ ”
    It was a love letter to her from Giancarlo!

Chapter

Six
    A CROSS THE ROOM G IANCARLO was having a conversation with the woman who was dressed like Nancy. With a start, Giancarlo saw Nancy glance his way.
    â€œKim!” Nancy said out loud. The woman dressed like her was Kim, and all at once Nancy realized that Giancarlo must have intended the note for Esme’s assistant.
    Sam figured it out as Nancy did. “Come on,” he said. “We’re going to ask that guy some questions. And they won’t be in Italian!”
    Giancarlo was standing alone by the